Sara Hecht, FCLC 2026

Major: English

Bio: Sara Hecht is a senior majoring in English with double minors in Peace & Justice Studies and Theatre Management. She is a member of the International English Honors Society, Sigma Tau Delta, and serves as the secretary of the Fordham chapter, Alpha Chi Omicron. Her past academic and professional experiences have centered on storytelling, arts production, and community engagement. After graduation, Sara will continue her educational journey by pursuing her master's at the University of Edinburgh.

Title of Research: Disability Representation in Children’s Media: How TV Shows Like Carl the Collector Will Shift the Next Generation’s View on Disability

Mentor: Don Lowe, Communication and Media Studies

Abstract: In 2023, PBS KIDS, one of the nation's most influential children’s programming networks, announced it would make its first-ever series with a disabled main character, Carl the Collector. The show follows the day-to-day life of an animated autistic raccoon. This research examines whether the show offers a positive and informative portrayal of autism for children with and without autism. Although disabled people are one of the largest minority groups worldwide, they are largely underrepresented in mainstream media. Children are more susceptible to learning new information; therefore, topics of tolerance and acceptance should be included in children’s programming, allowing these lessons to be carried into their adult lives and creating a more inclusive world. Drawing on mass communication theories and various models of disability, this analysis focused on the series's development and content. Consideration was also given to recent political policies that affect educational programming, thereby helping contextualize the series' impact. Ultimately, this paper found that the show marks a positive shift in disability representation, providing informational and entertaining content for children with and without autism and educating viewers on disabilities on a broader, more accessible scale.